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CarComplaints.com Notes: How can we give the 2001 model year a "seal of pretty good" when it has some problems with a slipping transmission and a known problem with the speed activation control switch? Because it's not the 2002. That's how.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,053 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Ford Explorer transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #17

Mar 032011

Explorer

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph when the engine exhibited an abnormal increase in rpms. The vehicle then accelerated abnormally and the contact was involved in a crash that involved four additional vehicles. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the servo plug had popped out of place and fractured the side of the transmission. The dealer advised that the transmission would need replacing. The manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 118,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Meadville , PA, USA

problem #16

Jul 032010

Explorer

  • 166,724 miles
Od light is flashing and the first gear shifts real hard. I took it to the Ford shop and they told me that they have fixed several and they go right back out it was a waste of my time.. does someone have to get killed before U all fix this if U try to take off and it slips and will not go U can and will get hit.

- Vivian, LA, USA

problem #15

Jun 032010

Explorer

  • 143,212 miles
I have a 2001 Ford Explorer and at first the truck would slip in and out of gears so I took it to a certified mechanic and was told I needed a neutral safety switch. I had that replaced about a month ago. Yesterday, I was driving and the truck slipped out of drive.... and it would not accelerate. I pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle and the O/D off light started flashing. This truck is going to cost me over 2,000 dollars to fix and it seems as if I am not the only one experiencing the same problems. Please help!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #14

Feb 162010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 107,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford Explorer O/D light flashing, transmission slipping.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #13

Mar 092010

Explorer

  • 118,000 miles
'O/D off' light if blinking, on and off. While light is blinking the car seems to be sluggish and does not respond to throttle properly. Rough shifts while driving.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

problem #12

Jan 042010

Explorer

  • 50,000 miles
My 2001 Ford Explorer transmission is having shifting problems followed by it's overdrive light flashing. I talked to several Ford transmission friends and they advised me to install a upgrade kit in the valve body. This was done, fluid and filter changed, to no avail. The light intermittently flashes and the transmission shifting weird. After reading several posts on several sites regarding this problem, I am at a loss at what to do. Several people stated that they went to the extent of replacing the transmissions with new ones and the light still flashing and having the same problems. My Explorer has 60K miles on it and this problem started at only 50K miles, to me this is a problem Ford should acknowledge, and allow some compensation to it's loyal customers.

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #11

Oct 012005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At around 55000 miles I had to replace my rear axle and I am now at 62000 and my O/D will start flashing and my 2001 Explorer will shift hard or not shift at all.

- Burlington, VT, USA

problem #10

Feb 012005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
Overdrive turns off - Ford has issued technical service bulletin ((tsb) 03-22-10 in obvious recognition of numerous problems, but refused to pay for the repairs.

- West Long Branch, NJ, USA

problem #9

Jul 252002

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,059 miles
At 31,059 miles, the vehicle hesitated at acceleration and loss power, especially at second gear. At 42,000 the car was brought back to the dealership because of same problems that experienced at 31,059 miles. Dealership replaced the D.P.F.E sensor.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #8

Feb 032003

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,500 miles
2001 V8 Explorer 36500 miles, my transmisson started slipping all over the place, luckily I got the extended warrenty. But there is no reason for such a young transmission to go bad

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 252001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer stated that the vehicle rolls forward when put in park.

- La Grande, OR, USA

problem #6

Mar 212002

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The dealership has been great. The original transmission was defective, the second transmission was defective and all of the fluid was pushed out the third transmission has been making squeaking sounds that cannot be located.

- Burlington, KY, USA

problem #5

May 072001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When shifting to drive while at a slight incline vehicle will roll back until applying brake. Vehicle taken to dealer 5 times, cannot remedy problem.

- Urbana, OH, USA

problem #4

Jan 152001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
World Ford has done nothing but give me a run around and not fixing my truck right!!! I have nothing but agrevation with my truck and I dont feel that it's safe with driving my children in it! when advising the dealership of the trucks major complications they advise me to bring the vehicle back in 30-60 days to aviod the lemon law! no safety defect listed.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 062001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- North Huntingdon, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 032000

Explorer

  • miles
When going down a steep grade neither "drive 1" or "drive 2" engaged & did not slow the vehicle. Neither low gears worked when the vehicle was in motion or when started from a complete stop. The gas guage will start showing 1/4 tank of gas when there is at least 3/4 full tank. This is accompanied by a burning smell coming from the front of the vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped & restarted the gas guage often returns to the proper level of gas in the tank.

- Alachua, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Truck was purchased new with 13 total miles. Windshield wipers are not working fuses are fine and the interior dome light is not working fuses are fine. While shifting from drive to reverse the truck begins to stall also while shifting from reverse to drive the truck begins to stall.

- Riverside, CA, USA

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